Abstract
A field experiment was carried out for three consecutive years (2009-2012) in Rongbonghat, Karbi Anglong District, Assam. Culm cutting of Bambusa balcona was planted in four different spacing trial (3x3, 3x4, 4x4 and 5x5m) intercropped with Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Ros.). Culm length and collar diameter of Bamboo in both solo plantation as well as intercropped with Turmeric and Ginger recorded significantly more in 5x5m spacing during third year of experimentation. Remarkable variations have been noticed in different spacing trials. Emergence of new shoot recorded more or less equal in both solo and mixed plantation. Productivity of crop observed maximum in 5x5m and 4x4m spacing of B. halcooa. Yield was found to be declined in subsequent year of cropping which is due to competition of nutrients between two growing crops. Productivity of Ginger observed relatively high compared to Turmeric during third year of experimentation. Comparatively less value of pH, organic carbon and NPK was noticed in soil under intercropping. The rate of mineralization of organic nitrogen may not compensate the nutrient requirement of fast growing Bamboo species resulted decrease value of available nitrogen under reduced spacing. Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium content increase significantly in 5x5m spacing trial in both solo and intercropped plots. Uptake of nutrient by the growing crop and Bamboo play a vital role in this regard.
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